I have had a reply from the BMW UK product team re adaptive suspension on the xdrive as follows:

"I can confirm that if M Sport Adaptive Suspension is added to an xDrive 3 Series the car is lower by 10mm compared to the standard suspension".

This seems clear enough.

BMW have made a mistake and sent a further email to say,

We have since found out that with Adaptive M Sport Suspension this is not lowered by 10mm on the xDrive model due to the way the xDrive system is packaged on this model, my apologies for the confusion.

BMW know what is what, just someone inside BMW reading the wrong information.

It has been clear for several months that the xDrive models are not lowered. It appears it is due to the front transmission. Possibly the way the drive shafts are optimised to run at the normal ride height.

We have since found out that with Adaptive M Sport Suspension this is not lowered by 10mm on the xDrive model due to the way the xDrive system is packaged on this model, my apologies for the confusion.

So that's it

I did say I had a good source for this info glad they owned, all be it looks bad when they don't understand what suspension is on a £30k

A little bit more ride height will let it go through even deeper snow thus making the Xdrive even more worthwhile !!

But nearly all wont be going through that deep snow, I said that earlier not a bad thing being higher if need the versatility , I think it will be very popular and cost Audi to re think their dynamics for sure